DIY Fall Face Masks

One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to calm temperamental skin is with stuff you likely already have in your kitchen…

Whether your skin is playing tricks on you as a result of the face paint you use to perfect your Halloween costume, the copious amounts of candy you (maybe) ate, fickle changes in the weather, or just general autumnal angst, one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to calm it down is with stuff you likely already have in your kitchen.

That’s right: It’s time to raid your fridge and pantry for DIY mask ingredients. And lucky us, fall produce happens to be incredibly skin-friendly thanks to the fact that most of what you’ll find at the farmers’ market is packed with the vitamins and minerals your skin craves this time of year.

Take pumpkin, for example. It’s not just a festive doorstep decoration or the main ingredient in your Thanksgiving desserts—this humble orange gourd is one of the most effective, natural ways to help skin heal. Thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E, it’s a goldmine of enzymes which help to chemically slough away the dead skin that’s accumulate throughout the summer. (But really, we should all know the importance of regular exfoliation at this point!)

Ready to whip something delectable up for your face? Get cooking!

Pumpkin-Sweet Potato Mask

We’ve already covered why pumpkin is a must-have for any DIY fall mask, but sweet potato shouldn’t be overlooked either. The tuber is rich in free radical-fighting beta-carotene which also promotes cell turnover (fresh skin cells=brighter, happier skin cells). Add some yogurt in there and you’ve got yourself a probiotic bonanza, while honey acts as a moisturizing anti-bacterial. If you’re feeling really crazy, throw some turmeric into the mix (just be prepared for slightly stained skin for a couple of hours).

1 tbsp sweet potato, mashed (the perfect opportunity to use leftover baked potato from last night’s dinner — as long as it’s not seasoned.)

1 tsp honey

1 tbsp Greek yogurt (full fat)

Pinch of turmeric

Method

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, then apply to cleansed skin and neck. This one is a little gloppy, so it’s probably easiest to apply with your fingers over the sink. Let it sit on skin for 10-15 minutes (again, might be best to lay down while you wait so it doesn’t fall everywhere), then rinse with warm water. Follow immediately with a facial mist and serum/moisturizer.

Pomegranate-Clay Mask

While pomegranates aren’t specific to autumn, the deep red color makes them seasonally appropriate and the nutrients from the fruit’s juice is packed with skin-brightening, complexion-clearing antioxidants. Mixed with a little bit of clay, your skin will be very happy post-mask as impurities are drawn out and cleansed. Add a little bit

of honey to the mix for an antibacterial boost (and to keep the clay from drying too quickly).

Ingredients:

1 tbsp clay (if you have dry clay powder, use that but if not, it’s fine to doctor up a clay-based mask)

1-2 tbsp pomegranate juice

1 tsp honey

Method

Mix all the ingredients together with a brush or your fingers (no metal spoons—the metal will mess with the clay) and apply over your cleansed face and neck. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or until the clay is dry, then wash off completely with warm water. Follow immediately with a facial mist and serum/moisturizer. If you have sensitive or dry skin, consider swapping the clay for greek yogurt.

Cranberry-Sugar Body Scrub

Not a mask and not for your face, but we can’t forget about the rest of your skin! No longer relegated to a holiday side dish, cranberries are actually acne-fighting heroes thanks to a compound called resveratrol, so this scrub is perfect if you’re dealing with pesky body acne.

Ingredients

½ cup whole frozen or fresh cranberries

1 cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup coconut or jojoba oil

Optional: If you want to add a scent to the scrub, add 5-7 drops of your favorite mellow essential oil.

Method

In a blender or food processor, puree the cranberries. Transfer to a glass bowl and mix in the sugar and oil until a consistent paste forms. If using, add essential oil and mix. Transfer to a sanitized, airtight container and use on your body in the shower.